Fodder-fork



(No Model.)

W. H. GROW. PODDER FORK.

No. 422,922. Patented Mar. 11, 1890.

l @j hirgeys,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lVILLIAM H. CRO\V, OF MARK CENTRE, OHIO.

,FODDER-FORK,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 422,922, dated March 11, 1890.

Application filed January 17, 1890- Serial No. 337,258- (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM H. CROW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mark Centre, in the county of Defiance and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Fork for Handling Fodder, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to a fork for handling fodder, and among the objects in view are to provide a fork for the above purpose adapted to conveniently handle fodder, to out the binder, and prevent the engagement of any of the fodder-stock during the operation of handling.

A further object of the invention is to construct such a device in a convenient and simple manner and at a minimum cost of manufacture.

Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims,

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective of a foddewfork constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the fork or tine detached from the handle and the crescentshaped cutter removed. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the band or binder cutten Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The tine 1 is tapered toward its extremity and is preferably cylindrical in shape, and at its base 2 is square, and beyond the same is provided with a shank 3, adapted to be inserted in a socket formed in the handle 4, which is of the usual construction and provided with an ordinary ferrule 5. The end of the shank is provided with a perforation 6, through which in the handle is inserted a bolt 7, through the medium of which and the construction just described a most rigid connection is efiected between the tine and handle.

The base 2 of the handle is provided with a rectangular recess 8, formed transversely through the same, and in this recess and extending at each side of the base is a crescentshaped cutter 9, the inner edge of which is ground to form a cutting edge 10, the cutting-edge extending to near the terminals or points of the crescent, which, however, is left unground, forming guard shoulders 11.

The manner of connecting the cutter with the tine is as follows: A straight or circular piece of metal of a size fitting the rectangular opening in the base of the tine is inserted therein, and,if not previouslybent, is curved to a crescent shape, after which the upper face of the cutter is ground to form a cutting-edge, the grinding extending to near the ends, leaving the blunt points or guard-shoulders before mentioned.

The cutter, it will be observed, may readily be inserted under the binder or band of a shock, and by a slight twist of the fork the band is severed and the fodder handled by the fork in the same manner as by an ordinaryhayfork. By reason of the taper given the tine any shock of fodder into which the fork is plunged will be easily disconnected therefrom when the contents of the fork are tossed, as will be most readily understood.

Having described my invention, what I claim is= l. The herein-described fork, comprising a central tapered curvedtine provided with an opening at its base and a curved knife mounted in the opening and projecting at each side of the tine, substantially as specified.

-2. The liei'einwlescribecl fork, comprising a central tapered curved tine terminating in a point and provided with an opening in its base, and a transverselydisposed crescentshaped knife mounted in the opening and extending at each side of the tine and termi nating at its ends in guard-shoulders, substantially as specified.

3. The herein-described fork, consisting of central curved tapered tine terminating in rear of its base in a perforated shank and having its base provided with a rectangular opening, a knife mounted in the opening and extending at each side of the tine and terminating in guard-shoulders, and a handle having a socket for the reception of the tines, and a bolt passed through the handle and the perforation in the tine substantially as specified.

4. The herein-described fork, comprising a central tapered curved tine and provided 5 with a transverse-curved knife at the head of the tine and projecting 011 each side thereof, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM H. ORO\V. WVitnesses:

FRANK L. FoRLoW, HELEN WOLFORD. 

